I’VE got fantastic memories of the old UEFA Cup – now the Europa League – both as a player and as assistant manager with Gerard Houllier in the treble year of 2001.

It was a great competition to win, especially in 1975/6 when in those days only the League winners went into the European Cup.

Of course tonight in Turkey Liverpool will want to make sure they progress into the tournament proper and despite the absence of so many big name players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, I expect them to do so.

But for me the truth is that even if we don’t make it through against Trabzonspor, it won’t be the end of the world.

Because quite simply the Reds have got much bigger fish to fry this season.

It’s much more important to get back in the Champions League next season.

I’m not enamoured now by the Europa League, especially because of the format – you don’t get to play group opponents home and away as in the Champions League and it all seems to go on forever.

So the priority must be getting back into Europe’s elite competition, not winning the Europa League.

There’s just so much more of importance at stake right now at Anfield.

For one thing, until the ownership issue gets sorted it remains very, very difficult for everyone at the football club.

We are working on a shoe string and therefore we simply cannot afford two years without Champions League qualification. These days you just can’t have top players like Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres plus others out of the top competition for two years running.

Don’t misunderstand me. I hate losing any game and will be disappointed if we go out tonight.

Trabzonspor treated the first leg at Anfield like a cup final but eventually ran out of steam. So I believe we’ll still have enough quality to get through, despite the high profile absentees.

But if we don’t make it, I have to admit I wont be heartbroken.

In reality we’ve got a far more important target this season - getting back into our own top four.